Find your Inspiration at Yokohama's Cup Noodles Museum

Have you ever eaten instant noodles?  I'm guessing that the answer is probably yes, whether the noodles were individual servings or larger family packs.  These have become staple foods all over the world, and I still enjoy a fair share of Cup Noodles, especially when things are busy and time is short.  Cup Noodles have been a part of my life and diet for as long as I can remember, so when I found out that there was a Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama, I grew curious and wondered if I should go.

Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical going to the Cup Noodles Museum--sure, I love the product, but would I really enjoy a whole museum dedicated to it?  In one way, the answer was yes, but the question was incorrect.  The whole museum may focus on Cup Noodles, but it's really a museum dedicated to the ideals of ingenuity and dedication, singing the praises of those ever-important traits through the lens of one man's journey to fill a void in the world around him.

The Museum tells the story of how Momofuku Ando saw a need for a quick, cheap food product that could fuel a nation trying to rebuild.  It shows how Ando, a man of few resources, was able to use his imagination and tenacity to invent "Chicken Ramen" and later, Cup Noodles. The first few exhibits tell this story and display a faithfully recreated version of Ando's work shed where he invented the instant noodle.

The museum then transitions from the details of Ando's life to concepts that he espouses in interactive exhibits meant to pique your imagination and kindle your creative mind.  

From there, the museum offers more interactive options that showcase manufacturing processes, offering visitors the chance to see how instant noodles are made in the "Chicken Ramen Factory," and how Cup Noodles are packaged in the "My Cup Noodles Factory."  

The best part of the My Cup Noodles Factory is that you can choose your own flavor and toppings.  Once it is made, they offer work stations to personalize the packaging in commemoration of your trip to the museum.  They'll even package it up in a balloon bag to keep it safe during your travels!

So yes, this is a museum that showcases Cup Noodles, but it also tells the story of invention, which is so much more.

The museum is open 1000-1800 every day but Tuesdays and New Years.  Admission is 500 yen for adults (Children and Young Adults up to 18 years old get in for FREE).  It is located a stone's throw away from the Cosmo World Amusement Park in Minato Mirai (Yokohama Bay).